Senate panel approves first gun-related legislation

[JURIST] The US Senate Judiciary Committee [official website] voted 11-7 on Thursday to approve gun-related legislation, establishing potential floor votes on the issue of gun violence for the first time in nearly a decade. The bill [S54, PDF], aimed at stopping illegal firearm trafficking, would make straw purchasing weaponsbuying a weapon for someone who is barred from owning onea federal crime and would increase penalties for offenders. While straw purchases are already illegal, the law is written in a manner that makes it difficult for law enforcement to prosecute offenders. Only one Republican, Senator Chuck Grassley [official website] of Iowa, voted for the bill, while several others on the panel voiced concern over unintended consequences and suggested the bill was done in haste. Although four gun-related measures were supposed to be addressed at the meeting, a recess was announced and the committee will reconvene March 12 to vote on a proposed ban on assault weapons and measures to expand background checks and improve school safety.

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